Tuesday, March 17, 2020
Bible Text: Matthew 27: 24-25 “Pilate saw that he wasn’t getting anywhere and that a riot was developing. So he sent for a bowl of water and washed his hands before the crowd, saying, “I am innocent of this man’s blood. The responsibility is yours!” And all the people yelled back, “We will take responsibility for his death we and our children!” Read Matthew 27:11- 25
Memory Verse: “You must not bow down to them or worship them, for I, the Lord your God, am a jealous God who will not tolerate your affection for any other gods. I lay the sins of the parents upon their children; the entire family is affected even children in the third and fourth generations of those who reject me. But I lavish unfailing love for a thousand generations on those who love me and obey my commands.” Exodus 20:5-6.
This first few times I went through this passage about the events leading to the crucifixion, I was wondering why the people were so adamant and insisted on getting Jesus killed at all cost. I tried to make sense of it but then God gave me an understanding from a different angle as I read it again. The mob was determined to kill Jesus due to their own hatred and also to the extent of standing in for their children’s lives. They said to Pilate not only are we responsible for His death, we take responsibilities on our children’s behalf. They were ready to do all to rid of him, not knowing they were helping a vision to be accomplished so that the world may be saved. It was not a palatable experience for Jesus as He was innocent, but He has to go through with it as destined.
Sadly, many of the issues people face in their life’s are things they completely innocent of and unfortunately it sometimes takes a very long time before they realise it; something which can be called inherited suffering. Some people inherit curses as a result of the linage they come from and evidently we see this in the life of the children of Israel. When Jacob was going to die, He called each of His 12 sons and pronounced a blessing on them which not only affected them but their decent Genesis 49:1-27.
The big question today is if you know your life will impact that of your decent, will you live any differently? There are generational consequences for the sins we commit and there are generational blessings for the good we do .The word if God sheds light on the mercy of God but not letting children take responsibility for their fathers sins according to Ezekiel 18:19-20. If the only path you teach your children is that which leads to sin, then they also tread the path of punishment.
Certain sins do carry generational consequences and the children of those who sin could be impacted by their parent’s sin. You cannot live contrary to the will of God and expect your decent not to reap a good reward. The love of King Solomon shows us that although Solomon done contrary to the doctrine laid down by Christ when he decided to leave the alter of God to serve foreign Gods. The Lord was cross with Solomon and “So now the Lord said to him, “Since you have not kept my covenant and have disobeyed my decrees, I will surely tear the kingdom away from you and give it to one of your servants. But for the sake of your father, David, I will not do this while you are still alive. I will take the kingdom away from your son.” 1 Kings 11:11-12
God is merciful and as much as He makes provisions in place of mercy for our sins, His expectation is that we teach our children in the way they should go. But then, how can we teach them which way to go if we are completely ignorant of what is right?
What if I don’t have kids yet? Then you are at the advantage to start living in a way which pleases God. This gets you well equipped with a blessing that will impact your generation. Abraham was blessed of the Lord even while he had no son because He was faithful to God so when Isaac was born, He was automatically born into the abundance of God’s blessing.
The decision remains yours! Will you rather inherit suffering or blessing for your generation?
PRAYERS:
- Thank you Lord for the suffering on the cross and dying for my sins
- Help me to live right from today O Lord and avert curses for my generations to come
- Help me to obey and teach all around me your commands, make me an inspiration and an epitome of blessings to my generation
- Forgive my iniquities Lord and let your mercy prevail over judgement
- Thank you Father and in Jesus Name I Pray, Amen.
I’m reading the YouVersion plan ‘Bible in One Year 2020 With Nicky Gumbel’. Check it out by clicking on the caption below.
